Ground switch



May 13 1924.

.1.. n. wvgue GRUHD SWITCH patented May 13, 1924.

UNITED STATES i 1,494,093 PATENT orifice.

:ionn n. wYLLrn, or New Yoan, n. Y., assrenon To ANDREWS cnannfconrona'rron, on CLEVELAND, omo, a oonroaarron or DELAWARE.

GROUND SWITCH.

Application filed January 11, 1923.

ple of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to switches for ground rails, its object being to provide a switch simple in construction and eiiicient i in the performance of its functions.

The said invention consists ofV means hereinafter fully described and particularlyset forth in the claims.

More specifically the object of my invention is to provide a simple switch construction adapted for use in connection with a ground mono-rail hoisting and conveying machine, such as is shown for instance in U. S. Patents Nos. 1,417,013; 1,417,014 and 1,417,015, issued to l). S. Andrews, May 23, 1922.

The object of my said invention is accomplished by providing a fixed end-portion ofa rail with endwise converging flat faces which are interposed between two vertical and endwise inclined flat faces of two simultaneously and laterally movable rail end-portions, whereby the treads ofeither of said latter portions may be brought into alinei ment with the tread of .said irst named rail end-portion.

The annexed drawing and the following mono-rail track to which my invention has been applied.

Fig. 2 represents a view similar to that of Fig. 1, showing the parts in a diiferent position.

Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of the structure.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 represent vertical transverse sections taken upon the planes indicated by lines FSL-IV, V-/v, V-Vl and Vil-VH and respectively., in Fig. 1.

serial No. 612,040.

The illustrated embodiment of my invention comprises the main rail 1 having the separated fixed end-portions 2 and 3 which lie upon and are suitably and fiXedly secured to a supporting fiat ground-plate 4.

A switch-member is loosely secured at one end, by means of fish-plates 6, to the end-portion 2 and rests loosely upon `the ground-plate 4 so that it may be oscillated laterally about vthe extremity of said endportion 2. rlihe free end-portion of said member 5 is made solid, that is of uniform thickness from the tread down, as shown in Fig. 4, and has an inner fiat vertical inclined face 7 which converges endwise toward the outer face of the member, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. y y y rlhe end of the switch-rail 8 is fixedly secured to plate 4, and has loosely secured to it by means of plates 9, one end of a second switch-member 10 which also rests loosely upon the plate 4, so that it may be oscillated laterally about the end of said switch-rail 8.

Like the end-portion of member 5, the free end-portion of said member 10 is also made solid, as shown in Fig. 4, and is formed with the inner, flat, vertical inclined face 11, which converges endwise toward the outer face of said member, as shown in Figs. 1

' and2.

The end-portion 3 of the main rail 1, is also made solid and has two lateral flat vertical surfaces 12 and 13 extending from the top to the bottom, and converging endwise toward each other as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These faces 12 and 13 are interposed between the faces 7 and 11 as shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive and in Figs. 1 and 2.

The two switch-members 5 and 10 are tied to each other by means of a bolt 14 and separated from each other by means of a tubular separator 15 surrounding said bolt,'such connection being sufiiciently loose to allow for any relative longitudinal movement of the two members which may occur as a result of their lateral movement.

The faces 7 and 1-2 and 11 and 13 are so constructed and the amplitude of oscillation of the switch members 5 and 10 is such, that said faces 7 and 12 may be brought into contact by lateral movement of said members in one direction, as shown in Fig. 1, and so bring the tread of the rail 1 into alinement with the tread of member 5. By lateral movement in the other direction faces 1l and 13 may be brought into contact as shown in Fig. 2, and the treads of main rail l and the switch member 10 brought into alinement. The tapered tread-portions of the switch members in each instance form the complement of the tapered tread portion of the main rail end-portion 3.

It will be noted that in either position of the switch members, the opposite sides of the tread-portions of the parts, are so placed that double wheel flanges may be used to run over the track.

Any suitable means (not shown) for throwing the switch manually, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically may be used, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Vhat I claim is:

l. In a switch, the combination with a single endportion of a rail; of two simultaneously movable end rail-portions adapted when moved to have their treads brought into alinement with the tread of said firstnamed rail end-portion, and laterally overlapping the latter.

2. In a switch, the combination with a single end-portion of a rail having two lateral endwise converging faces; of two additional rail end-portions capable of lateral movement; the latter rail portions each having a lateral inclined inner face; the faces of first-named rail end-portionsbeing interposed between the opposing faces of said additional end-portions; the latter being adapted to engage respectively the converg ing faces of said single rail end-portion.

3. In a, switch, the combination with an end-portion of a rail having two opposite lateral iiat faces extending from the top of the rail down to the bottom and converging toward each other endwise; of two additional rail end-portions capable of lateral movement, co-operating with said firstnamed rail end-portions, and each provided with an inner flat and endwise inclined face; the flat faces of said first-named end-portion being interposed between the flat faces of said additional end-portions, whereby upon lateral movement of said additional rail end-portions, the treads of either of the latter may be brought into alinement with the tread of said first-named rail endportion.

Signed by me this 28th day of December, 1922.

J. R. WYLLIE. 

